SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 27, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — The Atlantic has published an article stating that according to multiple sources, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch plans to retire from his position and throw his support behind potential candidate Mitt Romney.
Hatch’s office, in Washington, D.C., told Gephardt Daily that no such plan can be confirmed, and that the Senator is still considering his decision on whether he will run for another term.
Hatch has served as a U.S. Senator since 1977.
The Atlantic, a monthly news magazine with a circulation of nearly half a million, said reporters interviewed five sources — who spoke on the condition of anonymity — who were familiar with the situation and with Hatch, 83, and Romney, 70, who is a former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate.
“Sources close to both men said plans have already been set in motion for Hatch to retire and for Romney to run, but they cautioned that the timing of the announcements has not yet been finalized, and that either man could still change his mind.” the report said.
A spokesman for Hatch’s office released the following statement:
“Nothing has changed since the Atlantic published a carbon copy of this same story in April, likely with the same anonymous sources, who were no more informed on the Senator’s thinking than they seem to be now. Senator Hatch is focused on leading the Senate’s efforts to pass historic tax reform, confirming strong judges to courts around the country, and continuing to fight through the gridlock to deliver results for Utah. He has not made a final decision about whether or not to seek re-election, but plans to by the end of the year.”
